Matt Carthy
Question:803. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to prevent the importation of blackgrass yellow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41312/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 December 2020
Questions (803)
Written answers
In order to provide farmers with high quality, disease-free seed my Department implements the national seed certification scheme. This scheme is based on EU legislation and covers the main crop species, including fodder crops, cereals, potatoes, beet, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables.
While the EU seed regulations cover certain weed and disease species, there are no specific controls relating to Blackgrass. However, Member States may implement voluntary controls for seed certified in their own territory, but cannot impose those controls for seed certified in another Member State. In this regard my Department has a voluntary agreement with the Irish Seed Trade Association to apply a zero tolerance for Blackgrass in certified seed grown in Ireland.
With regard to the risk from the importation of agricultural machinery, under the terms of Plant Health Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 second hand machinery imported from Third Countries to EU Member States must be clean, free from soil or plant debris and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country.
I am satisfied that the measures set out above are sufficiently robust to assist in preventing the importation of blackgrass.